I’ve got a few- a shorter one would be Answer Me 1997. If I want a good rom com and old school , I would go back my classic City Hall- love me my ajusshi crush Cha Seung Won. If I want a good satisfying laugh, Vincenzo’s my pick!

Weirdly, when I need a palate cleanser (usually after a very disappointing or anger-inducing drama), I instead turned into variety show. Something chaotically funny, or a vacation-themed relaxing one. A nice little distraction as my brain tried to purge the latest experience from my brain. Or at the very least, to dull the edge of the bitter/sour leftover taste. Then in 3-4 days, I would be game for another dive into the unknown new drama territory again.

I don't exactly have a palate cleanser drama, but I do have memorable scenes of so many dramas - both the good and the bad, that I fall back and watch just to get my groove back. So yes, my palate cleansers are the collections of memorable scenes that are stored in or come into my head spontaneously.

I think it depends on the genre the drama that I need to forget.

For romance, I re-watch She Would Never Know ; for law/cop : Stranger 2, medical : Dr Romantic 1, fantastic : Goblin, etc.

Oh My Venus
Touch your heart
Fated to Love You [Korean version]
Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Jugglers
My Love from the star

Warm,cute, tropey rom coms that always make me smile (P.S Cheon Song-yi is still the all time greatest rom com heroine in dramaland)

Once again
My Daughter Seo-young
Family weekenders that will never get old

Chief Kim
Mad Dogs
The uncanny counter
Special labor inspector Jo
Mr Queen
The Reluctant and unlikely hero is my all time favourite trope

When my love blooms
Chocolate
That winter the wind Blows
One spring night
Those languid, quiet and moody romantic melodramas, these people have problems but they are attractive and speak like quote generators so its okay.

I have never felt the need to rewatch a k-drama just to clean the taste of a previous one 🤔
I prefer to go on with something new.
However, if I have to say a comfort k-drama, I pick Flower Boy Next Door.

I don't necessarily rewatch whole dramas, though sometimes I might, but I think I usually end up rewatching scenes from Lee Seung Gi dramas. His dramas are like a mood playlist for me because if I want to watch bickering or challenging each other, I can watch scenes from Shining Inheritence (Brilliant Legacy) or The King 2 Hearts. For the chemistry, Vagabond or Gu Family Book. The dynamic between him and Cha Seung Won in You're All Surrounded or Hwayugi (A Korean Odsessey) always appeals to me. My favorite Korean female lead is Kim Yuri from The Law Cafe so I could rewatch scenes from that. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho is a fun one and the imagination sequences make me smile (such as the expectation vs reality escape scenario he imagined) plus Losing My Mind is so pleasant to me. I like the layered personas in Mouse.

Plus I like seeing his improvement or changes as an actor over the years.

WHY IS HE SUCH A CUTIE PIE OMONIIIII
Thanks to @missvictrix for choosing this pic as the cover picture!

BB Kim Seon-ho is forever ♥️. Yes, the mini drama was a sweet little gem. It was very easy to watch, and also quite tropey.

But to cleanse my palate, I agree with some comments above that I normally turn to K variety shows. The laughs are guaranteed, and I find nothing better than laughs after I've watched something not that good.

Hospital Playlist
Reply 1988

I never thought of this question before. I guess a short-simple-nice slice of life drama would erase the bitter ending of a current drama.

I guess I would recommend TO JENNY (2018).

Yes, I know exactly what you mean and also think of them as palate-cleansers. For me, any random scenes of the following will do:
Weightlifting Fairy
Kim Sam Soon
Marriage Not Dating
My Love from Another Star
Secret Garden

I don't have specific palate cleansers and just rewatch whatever I feel like in the moment. Statistically it's usually crime shows because they make me think logically rather than stew in emotions which I often struggle with as a T-type. Currently I slowly binge Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty (for the 3rd time or so) between all the ongoings - it reminds me a lot of OBY (but less unevenly executed lol) and is overall a very meditative watch with interesting cases, good humor and lovable characters. And much, much better songs.

I'm not a Robot, Chief Kim, My Secret Terrius, Memorist and Healer. All are sure bets to remind me of that good ol' k-drama magic.

Palate cleansers for me aren't only for when a drama leaves a bitter taste. I use them also for when I have watched a few new shows back-to-back and feel overwhelmed, or for when I have watched one or two VERY good new shows and I'm on a high and kinda scared to break the streak with a bad show...

A few of my palate cleansers:

Chief Kim
Lookout
Accidental Couple
Wild Romance
Greasy Melo
Naked Fireman
Deserving of the Name

YouTube clips from variety shows are usually enough to change a residual bad mood after a bad drama.

An episode or two of The Boy Next Door never fails to make me laugh and break whatever spell I was under.

For truly desperate times, the beach kiss scene from Because This Life Is Our First is a sure cure, but I try not to resort to that too often - I don't want to build up tolerance and have it not work anymore.

Coffee Prince - A whiff of that drama during the dry period, is potent enough. I follow it up with some oldies that I had not watched and before I know it, I'm keeping up with the current ones.
During a different kind of dry period where the usually chirpy world of kdramaland is not at all appealing to me, I opt for Because This is My First Life.

BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE. It’s the perfect palate cleanser for me: normal adults living ordinary lives. No scheming ministers, ruthless chaebols, birth secrets, serial killers, trucks of doom, comas, amnesia, etc. Instead, there is warmth, humor, friendship, and personal growth. Kisses to die for. And while it touches on some serious subjects (e.g., sexual harassment, abortion, broken relationships), it does so with thoughtfulness and nuance.

Answer Me 1988
Ex Girlfriend Club
Coffee Prince

These are the dramas I watched more than twice. While I’m not into watching variety I have to say Young Actor’s Retreat was a nice palate cleanser last year.

Lately I haven’t rewatched much tho, there is always new dramas but at the same time when I do inevitably get into a kdrama slump I usually watch anime or read

When I finish a show I tend to rewatch, but it's because something of the show I just finished reminded me of the other one. It doesn't matter if the show left a sweet or bitter taste in my mouth, tbh.

BUT with kdramas in general, sometimes I need a break. A new page. A palate cleanser. It can be one night, two days, a week or a month, Idk, but I transfer all my energy to another source of entertainment: webtoons, movies, variety/dating/survival shows, etc. And then I come back stronger than ever. 😆

And about the "kdrama magic" you mention, I think I got that magic from romcoms.

Hmm.. Palate cleanser. Haven't really thought about it this way but I now realize that I do have dramas I go back to from time to time. Sometimes it's the better dramas of the poor actors involved in a bad drama. But most of the time, it's one of these:
- Hospital Playlist S1
- Something About 1%
- Another Oh Hae Young
- Marriage Not Dating

For non-kdrama, it's a rewatch of random episodes on:
- How I Met Your Mother
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (the animated one)

I actually mentioned in a previous thread that I watched My Ajusshi as a palate cleanser (after watching Love in Contract). But to give Park Min-young her due, I often watch the first few episodes of What's Wrong With Secretary Kim to relax and clear my brain. Similarly, Another Oh Hae-young, and in older days, My Girl frequently. They're like comfort food. If I want a full kdrama infusion, I'll rewatch Thank You, I'm Sorry I Love You, or Ruler of Your Own World.

I don’t usually rewatch dramas. But I might watch a movie or few scenes or episodes as cleansing. Movies are usually my quick fix.

If I watch a particularly bad drama, I might lean to a drama by the same lead or similar genre.
Eg after Jirisan I watched a few episodes of Hyena to remove the bad taste this drama left.
While watching ep 14/15 off CCiR, I watched an episode of Weightlifting fairy.

Other dramas which I watch in bits - Gogh, starry night, Coffee Prince, Reply 97.

In cdramas, it’s Go Ahead. The initial episodes always bring me so much warmth.

I have a few that work really well for me, but fortunately I seldom need one because my fellow beanies steer me clear of most of the shows that would put me in the need of a palate cleanser, although I have on rare occasions, deliberately hate watched a show (looking at you FOREST) or have been jointly caught off guard (DO DO SO LA SO).

For me it is mostly the really classic romcoms which serve the purpose: MARRIAGE, NOT DATING, FATED TO LOVE YOU, the J-drama MISCHIEVIOUS KISS, LOVE IN TOKYO (and its various versions in other languages), etc.

I really like the idea of a palate cleanser, but I don't really practice this concept. Since I tend to be selective with what I watch, watch one show at a time, and tend to watch based on moods or themes, I'm usually ready for the next show with no dramatic after-effects. But now that I'm thinking about it, if I did watch this way, my palate cleansers would be:

- 365 Repeat the Year: whatever bad emotions the last drama you watched left, you can kill them off with each reset character.
- Let's Eat 1: I can't say the same for LE 2 and 3, but this would be one I recommend to any working foodie. No matter what, you still have a decent job, live alone in a nice apartment with good neighbors and friends, and you can eat at your favorite restaurants.
King of Drama: if the last one was too much for whatever reason, there's another one being made by people who never give up to create new, better ones.
One the Woman: the last drama was like being in an accident, so start with amnesia and cleanse your mind to remember all the good things you love about KDramas.
Dali and Cocky Prince: there's a high and low to every drama watching experience, so bring the beauty of art back into your viewing life.
Mystic Pop-Up Bar: sometimes a drink is all you need to relieve those intense drama feels to send them off to drama heaven.
Woman of 9.9 Billion: everyone in that last drama sucked, so just take their money and run to the next one.
Big Issue: rid yourself from bad feelings by shaming the bad people publicly so that you can cut those toxic emotions loose and feed them to the media dogs.
Band of Sisters: for ladies who, when life throws out lemons left and right, come together to reinvent yourselves to dish out justice while getting your own whatevers you desire.
The Undateables: if the last rom com you watched was too much, the DB clan will set you up with a new one that will remind you of that first kdrama love.

Hands down, it’s Master’s Sun for me.

I always find myself turning to some of the more light-hearted youth dramas when I need a mental refresh. There's something about experiencing the world through those fresh eyes again that reminds me why I love dramas so much.

My go-to dramas are probably Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Sassy Go Go. I also love the mini dramas If We Were a Season and To.Jenny if I just need something short and sweet. The former is more of a movie, but it really packs a full story into the time it has, though I know a lot of people find the ending frustrating.

You’re all surrounded
I hear your voice
Chicago typewriter
Pinnochio

While I do rewatch entire dramas at times, usually my palate cleansers are select episodes/scenes from You Are My Glory, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Healer, Her Private Life, and Love Between Fairy and Devil.

In other words, beautiful actors and actresses and lots of lovey-dovey scenes are my palate cleansers LOL.

I've seen people mention they watch korean variety shows so I figured I would add mine too haha

I watched S1 of 1 night 2 days/2 days 1 night (cast: Kang Ho Dong, Lee Seung Gi, Eun Jiwon, MC Mong, Kim C, Lee Su Guen, Kim Jongmin, Uhm Taewoong). I have genuinely laughed out loud at some of the things they went through and what the production put them through. I don't watch the current version but I don't think any variety show (currently) features that level of unpredictable, unscripted "real road wilderness variety"

The netflix show New World was my happy place. The beggar brothers made me laugh every time (cast: Lee Seung Gi, Eun Jiwon, Kim Heechul, Park Narae, Kai, Cho Bo ah)

I watched Yoo Jae Seok shows such as Busted, Korea #1, The Zone: Survival Mission and clips from his other shows such as Running Man and Sixth Sense

I usually go for something light-hearted and comforting. Web dramas like Love Playlist and Seventeen and drama specials tend to make good palate cleansers for me (love all the mentions of To.Jenny!).

Sometimes I also go for J-dramas like Kotaru Lives Alone and My Sister's Soulmate. The simple production and different style of storytelling make for a nice change from K-dramas.

I wouldn't say I watch dramas to cleanse my palette but I I have a drama igo back to to relax and distress after the complexities that current kdramas bring. A return to the classics you know ? And that's brilliant legacy/Shinning inheritance. 22 year old Lee Seung gi and Han Hyo joo in a not too makjang drama, Bae Soobin, romance, not too much family dynamics ? Did I mention Lee Seung gi ?
If I'm being honest LSGs dramas have been mainly a miss for me, so I go back to this to remind me of why I fell in love with him.

Two: Pegasus Market and Wednesday 3:30.

I usually use C dramas as palate cleansers. I don’t get as emotionally invested, and you usually get what you expect from beginning to end. At 45 minutes, they feel easier to binge. They are an easy ride that evens out my mood. At the same time, there are a lot fewer of them on my all time favorite shows list. ( Although there are some I’ve loved.)

My love from another star.

Stranger / Forest of Secrets / Secret Forest.
Against my own better judgement, I hit play on Divorce Attorney Shin this weekend, and had to cleanse my palate right after. It was good and did the job. :D

Secret garden! Fell in love with all of the cast and the music. And also, you’re beautiful, it was my introduction to kdrama’s, and will always hold a special place🥰

I watch the following dramas not only as a palate cleanser when I want to forget another drama, but also when I want to distract myself in other ways: Healer, Hospital Playlist 1 + 2 (currently rewatching), What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?, Chocolate. Crash Course in Romance will now have landed on this list, too.

What a great topic @missvictrix ! It's fun to hear from people who do the same as I.
If a drama has left me emotionally drained (or annoyed!) I return to something light and happy. Coffee Prince, Romance is a Bonus Book, Because This Life is My First, Fight My Way, Touch Your Heart, Kim Sam Soon, Dali, Waitlifting Fairy. Just rewatching a few favorite scenes will do. I ought try watching a variety show based on several comments here.

I never thought about watching another drama to get my mind off the drama I just watched—something I'll definitely do from now on.

If I have to suggest it would be Touch Your Heart, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and Gaus Electronics. All very light and fluffy dramas, which are sure to get your mind of the last drama you watched

I too LOVE You Drive Me Crazy. Such a wonderful short drama and Kim Seon Ho is fantastic! As a palate cleanser and in honor of my third anniversary watching kdramas I just started rewatching my gateway drama, Crash Landing On You. I'm loving that I now see all the tropes and get all the references to other kdramas!

When I like a show, I usually watch it again and again until the joy it brings is kind of saturated, that's when I move on, but it will be on my recommendation list to others.

Shows I watched uncountable times:
Romance in the rain (Cdrama, with Vicky Zhao and Leo Ku)
All about Eve
Healer
Confession
Wok of love

My current palate cleanser shows (meaning I haven't got the time to watch it as many times as I wish):
Forest of secrets
Life
My liberation notes
Mad dog
Watcher

I have this too, and will watch from the list below, although I may skip parts rather than rewatching the whole thing. Often I may skip the initial episode with setup:

I am not a robot
Goblin (even just the minute or two of intro music and clips, to be honest)
Oh My Ghost
Still 17
A Piece of Your Mind
Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Oh My Venus
Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Business Proposal

Oh my Days, we have the same Palate Cleanser!!!

I absolutely love You Drive Me Crazy. It's the perfect palate cleanser and goes with every drama 😅 It really does capture the essence of why I love Kdramas.

Other palate I have is Law School (for when I watch an overly sweet and plotless drama and need some grounding) and Romance is a Bonus Book (for when I watch a fantasy drama or an action drama and I need a soft landing. It's my Favorite Drama of All Time, btw 😻)

*K-movies. It is great to have the pacing at 2 hours rather than 16 hours. My favorite is "A Melody to Remember," but there are lots of good ones (The Classic, Be With Me, The Attorney, A Taxi Driver, etc.)
*Drama Specials. KBS has these for FREE on YouTube. The pacing is only 1 hour and it is really fun to see Kdrama stars, many at the beginning of their careers, in these short programs.
*Variety Shows. I like to watch the travel logs, like Jung Hae In's Travel Log and a few variety shows, like I Live Alone.
*YouTube. When I just don't want to let go of a good drama that I finished, I search for clips about it on YouTube. The behind the scenes are interesting and I like the OST with clips from the drama.